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Jimmy Smits

Actor, Community organizer

Despite trying to stake his claim in features films without much success, actor Jimmy Smits earned his greatest acclaim on the small screen in roles that were connected by their proximity to the law. Smits emerged into ... Read more »

Despite trying to stake his claim in features films without much success, actor Jimmy Smits earned his greatest acclaim on the small screen in roles that were connected by their proximity to the law. Smits emerged into the public consciousness as a sharp, but uptight attorney on Stephen Bochco's award-winning legal drama, "L.A. Law" (NBC, 1986-1994). After leaving the show before its run ended, he languished in a series of easily dismissed features and slightly better made-for-television movies before returning to television as an understated detective on the groundbreaking cop drama, "NYPD Blue" (ABC, 1993-2005). Once again, Smits left the show prior to its time running out and again found himself taking on largely forgettable films, though he did manage a small recurring part in "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones" (2002) and "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" (2005). Returning to regular series glory, he gave a commanding performance as a legislator-turned-president on "The West Wing" (NBC, 1999-2006), an Emmy-nominated turn as an assistant district attorney with a murderous dark side on "Dexter" (Showtime, 2006- ),and a widely praised performance as a semi-reformed gang leader on "Sons of Anarchy" (FX, 2008- ), all of which confirmed that the distinguished performer was best served in authoritative roles on the small screen.

Joined an ensemble cast in Wim Wenders' "The Million Dollar Hotel"

Portrayed washed-up boxer Arturo Ortega in "Price of Glory"

Joined the cast of ABC's police drama, "NYPD Blue" in the leading role of Bobby Simone after series star David Caruso left; character killed off in November 1998 after Smits decided to leave the show; earned five Emmy nominations

Off-Broadway debut in "Hamlet" at the New York Shakespeare Festival

Worked for a time as a community organizer in the New York area before moving into acting

Raised primarily in Brooklyn, New York, but lived briefly in Puerto Rico

"I've been fortunate. I've always had teacher role models who kind of pointed me in the right direction. In junior high Rhoda Olanoff would do these lavish musicals. In high school there was a teacher who would take us to Broadway and Off-Broadway all the time. There was somebody in college who said I should continue on my path to graduate school. There was always somebody along the way to help cultivate the dream." - Smits quoted in the Daily News, Nov. 13, 1994

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"I never said I was leaving 'L.A. Law' to pursue a film career. You guys did, in the media. My contract was over and I just wanted to move on. It wasn't like I left with a three-picture deal in my back pocket. It was never about leaving 'L.A. Law' and becoming a giant movie star." - Smits quoted in TV Guide, Nov. 12, 1994

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About finding himself pigeonholed in Latino characters: "It's a fine line, and I have to deal with that all the time. I do want to be involved in quality projects that say something about the Latino community. But as an actor, you want to sell your versatility. One thing should go hand in hand with the other. We [Hispanic actors] want to play different roles, we want to be cast in different ethnicities and act in films about different historical times. I think that's good for us, in terms of non-traditional casting. And I don't see why, for the most part, I can't do that." - Smits to the Daily News, March 17, 1996

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"There's an intensity about Jimmy," Bochco says. "When he smiles, he lights up a room, but you always have the feeling that there's a volatile side that he contains." - producer Steven Bochco to Emmy magazine, Issue No. 5, 2007